Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning

Register for an Upcoming Information Session

• 12/9/2025: Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning's M.Ed. & Graduate Certificate Program — Virtual — 5:00pm - 6:00pm

Upcoming Events

• Today: Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning Virtual Information Session

Advance Your Teaching Career & Lead With Purpose

George Mason University's Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Concentration in Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning (ASTL) program empowers current PK-12 educators to transform their classrooms and careers. Designed for teachers by teachers, this programs helps you deepen you expertise, reflect on your practice, and develop the skills to lead learning in your school and community.

Through flexible online and blended formats, our ASTL allows you to earn your graduate degree or certificate while continuing to teach full-time. You'll use your own classroom as a laboratory for research-based innovation, designing strategies, testing approaches, and measuring real-world impact on student learning.

Choose from specialized concentrations—including Diversity and Exceptionality, STEM, Physical Education, and Individualized Study—or design a program aligned with your professional goals. Each pathway is grounded in cultural, linguistic, and exceptional diversity and prepares educators to meet the complex needs of today's PK-12 learners.

Whether you're advancing towards National Board Certification, pursuing a VDOE add-on endorsement, or preparing for leadership and mentorship roles, George Mason's ASTL programs provide the research foundation, reflective practice, and supportive community to help you thrive.

Why Choose George Mason CEHD

We know that effective teachers never stop learning. Our faculty are nationally recognized educators, researchers, and practitioners who bring decades of PK-12 classroom and leadership experience into every course.

Designed for working teachers. 100% online and hybrid options fit your schedule. We provide the highest-quality continuing education without disrupting your career.
Support for Virginia educators. We believe teacher advancement should be accessible. Benefit from a 15% tuition discount and access to numerous scholarship opportunities.
Expert mentorship. Gain direct support and mentorship from esteemed faculty and a vast alumni network who are driving educational policy and practice across the state and nation.
Mission-driven impact. Join a university committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and excellence in education.

When you choose Mason, you're also joining Virginia's largest and most diverse public university, a place where ideas take root, educators grow, and leaders emerge.

What Sets Us Apart?

George Mason's ASTL programs are more than degrees. They're catalysts for change. You'll graduate ready to lead, inspire, and innovate in any educational setting.

Classroom as a Laboratory. Built for educators by educators, course assignments are job-embedded and directly applicable to your practice. Your classroom serves as a laboratory as you study and refine your own professional practice. This supports you as you examine your own teaching and immediately increase your impact.
Flexible, customizable pathways. Select or create a concentration that aligns with your teaching practices and relevant professional goals. Coursework is aligned with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and select concentration courses meet the requirements for Virginia Department of Education endorsements. If you are a provisionally licensed teacher, you can complete your licensure requirements while earning your MEd.
Build a connected community. You'll engage in an innovative course design that fosters a strong community of practice. This includes opportunities to connect and collaborate with fellow PK-12 teacher leaders at other schools and in other district. By joining an alumni network of professionals shaping PK-12 education, you'll expand your network and perspectives.

Empower your teaching, expand your influence, and lead with confidence at George Mason.